• Mexican Peso weakens, USD/MXN rises 0.36%, as markets anticipate Fed policy decision.
• Lowered expectations for Fed rate cut, Middle East tensions drive Peso down, Dollar up.
• Investors focus on Jerome Powell's speech for clues on Fed's future monetary policy direction.

The Mexican Peso (MXN) begins this week on the back foot for the third consecutive week against the US Dollar (USD) as traders remain cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy decision. Investors reducing bets the Fed will cut rates in March, along with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, keep risk-perceived currencies weak, boosting the safe-haven status of the Greenback. Therefore, the USD/MXN exchanges hands at 17.21, up 0.36%.

USD/MXN traders are bracing for the Fed’s decision on Wednesday. Expectations suggest the US central bank will keep rates on hold, and according to recent statements by some policymakers, discussions about quantitative tightening (QT) could emerge at the next meeting. However, market participants are looking to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s first appearance of the year on the stand. In December, Powell shifted more dovish, which was followed by Fed officials pushing back against aggressive speculation that the Fed would ease policy aggressively. Traders estimate that Powell will take a more balanced approach on Wednesday